The Beretta 93R is an Italian selective-fire machine pistol, designed and manufactured by Beretta in the late 1970s.
Designation The "R" stands for Raffica, which is Italian for "volley", "flurry", or "burst" (sometimes spoken "R" as "Rapid" in English).
History The 93R was designed to be used by the Italian counterterrorism forces of the Polizia di Stato, Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza, and the Carabinieri Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (both formed in the late 1970s during the turbulent Years of Lead) but was also adopted by other police and military forces who required a concealable weapon with rapid fire capabilities.Thompson (2012) p.12–13Fowler, Anthony (2007). Pistols, Revolvers, and Submachine Guns, p. 136.
Unlike other Berettas in the 90 series it is single-action only, does not have a decocker, and very few are around today.
Later on, a small number of Beretta 92SB semi-automatic carbines fitted with 93R stocks were made for the Los Angeles Police Department.
The BATFE removed these short-barrel rifles from the purview of the National Firearms Act.
Design
The Beretta 93R is mechanically similar to the Beretta 92.
It can be selected to fire either a three round burst or single fire. A selector switch enables the operator to alternate between the two firing modes.
The pistol is fitted with a collapsible angled foregrip at the front end of the trigger guard to provide better stability when firing.
A folding steel buttstock can be attached at the heel of the grip.McNab, Chris (2004). The Great Book of Guns, p. 145.
The Beretta 93R is much more controllable compared to other machine pistols because it was designed with only a three-round burst mode as well as a ported barrel.
Users
Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35th edition (January 27, 2009). .
See also HK VP70 Glock 18 Machine pistol Personal defence weapon
References
Bibliography
External links on Forgotten Weapons on TFB TV